by Eric S Kim
Since they were already in the lounge, the two of them headed for the bar for a little liquid refreshment.
5:05 PM
The ambulance, accompanied by a couple of Hammerhead Investigators, had arrived at Mr. Brubaker’s residence. Jerome had left the front door open to let them in. Preston stayed outside. He leaned against the parked SUV beside the curb. He had placed his hands in his pockets. The image of an innocent man ending his own life with his belt would stay with him for a long time. He even forgot about the Nevinoth Dragons for a brief moment. Another civilian who had chosen to expire in his own way. Another number added in the statistics. Preston felt a heavy burden in his soul. He remembered when Lance had ended his life in Santa Ana. The teenager was so distraught, and yet no one would care to remember him for his ambitions. Preston couldn’t bring himself to erase the anguish from within. He had seen these travesties too often, and he could no longer imagine an optimistic update during this silent crisis.
Jerome had left the house. The Hammerheads and the ambulance had already taken over the situation. The two Blackjacks got back in their SUV. But Jerome didn’t start the engine yet. He didn’t have his hands on the steering wheel. He was seated in the driver’s seat with a look of utter despair.
Preston asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Jerome slowly sighed. “He was a good teacher. He taught me all the important things in math class. He didn’t do anything wrong. He didn’t have a criminal record. He looked like he was happy…”
He shook his head. “I didn’t think he’d end up like this.”
Preston tried to find a way to comfort him, but he couldn’t. “Did he have friends that he could talk to?”
“Of course, he did. He had plenty of them. But I guess he just didn’t want them around anymore. I don’t know. It’s a big mystery to me. I never thought he’d do something like this. It’s really hitting me hard.”
Preston was already familiar with the frustration. “I know how you feel. It’s happened to me, too.”
“It did?”
“Yeah. I had a cousin named Scott. He killed himself four years ago. I didn’t think it would happen, but it did. And I still can’t figure out why it did.”
“Was he depressed before it?”
“I don’t know, man. There was a lot of stuff going on back then. I don’t think anyone saw it coming.”
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“It just makes me wonder sometimes.”
“About what?”
“About everything. You know, this is happening a lot more nowadays. People are doing this stuff more often, and I don’t think anyone’s brave enough to even share it to the world.”
“I’m sure there are people who care.”
“Yeah, but is it enough? No one in the media’s really talking about it. It’s like they’re seeing it as this trivial thing and just go back to their talk shows and music videos. People only talk about it in online forums and stuff like that.”
“Now that I think about it, it really is something worth noting. I mean, we had to deal with a few people who attempted to end their own lives since January. I’m not sure what’s going on, but it could turn into a complete nightmare if Gorvex doesn’t do something about it.”
“…Yeah.”
“You don’t think he’ll do it?”
“No, I’m sure he’ll be the one to address it. But if not, then I’ll lose hope.”
“Don’t. It’ll work out.”
Preston checked the house from across the street. The panicky civilian’s vehicle had disappeared from the driveway. He did indeed leave in a hurry.
Preston decided to change the subject. “So Mr. Brubaker was really good, huh?”
Jerome smiled for a brief second. “Yeah, he really was. He never missed a beat. He’d challenge us with some complicated equations. We never had the right answer, but he helped us find it. He was really awesome. He should have won an award or something.”
Preston nodded. “I feel like I should’ve taken his class instead.”
“You should have been there. He’s a straight-up legend. A real hero.”
Jerome’s eye started to grow watery. He visibly tried to suppress the tears. He took deep breaths as he started the engine.
“I’m gonna have to be there at his funeral. I don’t want to end it here.”
Preston buckled his seatbelt. “I understand.”
The two Blackjacks drove off and continued their search without any other interference.
5:08 PM
Lionel and Todd Park had chosen a secluded corner in the lounge together. Each of them had purchased a cold glass of iced tea. Lionel would have preferred a Long Island Iced Tea, but he decided to play it safe in the late afternoon. He and Todd took a seat at the table. The young agent spent his time placing his glass on a coaster and unfolding a napkin to put on his lap. He did it with elegant movements. His manners were in their prime. Lionel watched him and was impressed with his meticulous demonstration of cleanliness. None of the other Blackjacks, not even his own son, would dare to spend their time worrying about hygiene.
Todd finally took a sip from his glass after making sure that the napkin on his lap was thick enough for any unexpected spills.
Lionel started the discussion. “So they tell me that you’re my biggest fan.”
Todd spoke with a calm demeanor. “That’s right. I admire everything that you’d done lately.”
“What makes me so special?”
“It’s simple, really. You’ve led your squad into danger and you managed to fight off everybody that’s trying to get in your way. A-X-9 has some of the most rave reviews that I’ve ever read.”
“We’re just doing our jobs, that’s all.”
“But you’re doing it so well. That’s why I admire you. You’re the captain of the most successful Blackjack squad in the world. Your leadership is incredible. I’d gladly follow your commands if you were a captain in Shadow Service.”
“I appreciate that. Please don’t think that you’re being intrusive. I really don’t mind it.”
Lionel took another sip of his iced tea. He looked around the lounge and found only one more person taking a break at the other side of the room. Lionel and Todd would be far enough away to keep their voices at a moderate volume.
“So, Mr. Park, I’ve heard great things about you. Most recently, about how Mr. Quintana sent you to Quebec.”
Todd’s manners didn’t cease as he composedly replied, “Yes, it was a difficult mission but I brought it back safely.”
“Where did you find it exactly?”
“A group of scavengers had found it somewhere in Sherbrooke. It was buried underneath a pile of dirt at a high school. Nobody knows why it was kept there, but the scavengers didn’t care. They knew what it was and they wanted to sell it. I had joined the group and made them think that I was a lone survivor of a Fail Faction.”
“I have a feeling that you took the same acting class as Dennis Palmer did.”
“That’s true, actually.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, I followed them all the way to Montreal, where we got attacked by giant beasts. They must have been the rejects from Sharp Claw Incorporated that everyone was talking about. Spiders about ten feet tall. I didn’t like them at all. Most of the scavengers were killed, but the leader, a few others, and I survived. We would have gone back to Sherbrooke just to be safe, but the gig was up. The leader found out about me and forced me out of the group. I wasn’t about to give up. I had to take back the ring.”
“How did you fight back?”
“It took some skill and some quick timing to get what I needed. I can’t really reenact it for you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“So I took back the ring and went back home. I’m surprised that I left Quebec without any injuries. The Dead Zone is one of the most horrifying places I’ve ever stepped foot in.”
“Well, congratulations on
retrieving the ring.”
Todd bowed his head down slightly. “It’s an honor to receive a compliment from you.”
“Did you ever find out why the ring was in Quebec in the first place?”
“I can’t find the correct information on that.”
Lionel didn’t want to give the young agent the wrong idea. “I’m just curious as to why something like that would be in the Dead Zone, and buried in a deserted city.”
“Someone must have been desperate to hide it from Gorvex. Even a vagabond would know how important that ring is.”
“Even I know why it’s very sacred. Dragon riders will always be a hot topic all around the world.”
Todd still sat up straight in his seat. “Pardon my honesty, but I always found them to be fascinating.”
“You really think so?”
“Yes. I never got to see one, but I’ve read a few online articles about them.”
“What’s your opinion on them?”
“I can’t really say that I’m choosing a side. A part me of believes that it was a very interesting occupation. And another part of me understands why Gorvex wanted them erased from the earth.”
“I’m sure it’s not a complete success. The riders disappeared somewhere in Mongolia. Nobody knows for sure if they’re alive or dead.”
“What do you believe?”
“I can’t really say anything about it, since I don’t have an opinion on it.”
“Do you miss them?”
“I don’t follow you.”
“Do you miss your friends?”
Lionel suddenly realized what Todd meant. He didn’t lose his composure. He just asked, “How much do you really know about me?”
“Enough to know how much the Nevinoth lifestyle meant to you. Please don’t think of me as a critic. I would never think less of you because of your past.”
“Well, that’s refreshing to hear.”
“Tell me what it felt like to be one.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Please, Mr. Tyler, I’d like to know. This is only between you and me. Everything we say will stay in this room.”
Todd sounded genuine when he promised absolute secrecy.
Lionel took another sip of his iced tea. “It was a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to be one when I was a kid. I had a big opportunity when I joined the organization. And when I got accepted, it felt like a miracle. I would do the things that I love at a job that required everything from me. I had no regrets when I signed up for it.”
“It must have been an amazing feeling.”
Lionel sighed. “It really was.”
“I’m sorry that you had to quit.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then it’s good to hear it from you.”
Todd pushed his glass aside. “Listen, I have to show you something.”
“What is it?”
Todd pulled something out of his smartphone. He searched through the photographs that were displayed on the screen.
“About a month ago, I went to Salt Lake City for a mission. There were several Zadith disciples, six of them, that met up at that city at midnight, right when I finished my duties. I didn’t think much of it, as I knew that they dealt with confidential information. But I think I got a good look at one of them. I took a few photographs. They’re not in good quality because I did it at the last minute. I didn’t want them to know I was there.”
He handed his smartphone to Lionel, who gazed at a rather blurred photograph of the Zadith disciples gathered in front of a municipal building. Four men and two women, all of which wore their distinctive business suits and dresses for the occasion.
Todd explained, “The one on the left is the one I’m talking about.”
Lionel tried to decipher the face from the dark and blurred photo. He was a tall man, presumably East Asian.
Todd apologized for the imperfect image. “You can’t really see his face, but he’s the one that led the group. He must be the leader of the Zadith.”
“I can get a good look at him. I don’t think I know him.”
“I think you will when you see him up close. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I have a strange feeling that the man we’re looking at is none other than Vincent Yoon.”
Lionel felt as if his own heart had stopped for a second. Hearing the name Vincent Yoon almost brought him back to the vulnerability from his younger years. He had forgotten to breathe when he snapped right back to reality.
“How can you be so sure that it’s him?”
Todd shook his head. “I’m not, but I’m convinced that it’s the same person. He almost looked exactly the same.”
“Vincent Yoon’s been dead for two decades. This can’t be him.”
“I’m certain that it’s a lie. There’s something going on overseas.”
“How can you tell?”
“Because I’ve seen the archives. I’ve been doing some painstaking research. Not for anyone, but for me. My own curiosity has led to this conclusion.”
“It’s because of my past, isn’t it?”
“I know how notorious Vincent Yoon really was in the past. If I’m right about this, then I want you to know that the Zadith is making me suspicious.”
“Don’t be. The Zadith have been doing some incredible things around the world.”
“I used to believe it, but then I took this picture.”
“It’s not the man you think it is. He must have had the same features and you mistook him as someone else.”
“Mr. Tyler, please think about what’s going on around here. I’m risking my career and my reputation for you to learn the truth. If Mr. Yoon really is alive, then the Zadith have a dark side that keeps us away from the truth.”
Lionel still wasn’t convinced. “Maybe you need a vacation.”
Todd took back his smartphone. “I know you won’t believe it, but it’ll take some time to get used to.”
He finished his glass of iced tea and took the napkin off of his lap. “Please don’t share this information with anyone.”
“Trust me. None of this will leave the lounge.”
Todd stood up from his seat and was about to leave. “I have some other important business to tend to. It’s been nice meeting you, Mr. Tyler.”
“You’re a good man. Shadow Service deserves someone like you.”
“Thank you.”
Todd left the table. Lionel stayed put in the corner of the lounge. He couldn’t stop thinking about the agent’s blurred snapshot. He didn’t want to believe the things he had heard from his biggest fan. He had already witnessed the death of Vincent Yoon and accepted it as a historical fact. He turned his head and looked out the window. The sun wouldn’t be making its departure just yet, but it did give Santa Ana a nice touch to its overall cityscape. Traffic had slowed and pedestrians were on their way back home. The city embraced its rush hour. After enjoying a nice view for a brief moment, Lionel finished his drink and left the lounge.
TWENTY-EIGHT
5:38 PM
Florencia Sanchez opened her eyes and found herself in her bedroom. She had taken a short nap in bed. She lay flat on her back in her blue jeans and white tank top. She suddenly remembered who she kept in her right hand. She could feel his tiny body lying on her chest, right between her breasts. She looked down at him. Edward lay peacefully in her soft grip. He rested his head on her skin, and his entire body moved to the slow rhythm of her breathing. He still had his eyes closed. He must have been tired out from bring her prisoner since the afternoon.
This was a familiar position. Florencia would hold him in her arms as he lay with her in bed after a few incredible hours of their favorite personal pastime. But his shrunken body was the big difference here. She now held him in her entire hand, and both lay in bed fully clothed.
Florencia smiled. He appeared so innocent in her hand. There was a time where she was tempted to be the giant that ruled his life. She wanted to s
lowly take his clothes off, to give him a better reason to be more obedient. She would start with his black t-shirt and end with his black pants. In the end, he would be completely naked in her hand. She fought against it, though. She respected him and didn’t want to risk a debilitating blow to his current psyche by potentially causing a little embarrassment with his body.
She knew that he wouldn’t stay like this for the rest of his life. However, she wished it would have been the case. He would be so adorable as her little prince. She would keep him in her hand as they shared a nap together. She would keep him safe from the world and have him accept his new role in her home. It was a dream that unfortunately wouldn’t come true.
Florencia carefully sat up and got out of her bed without hurting Edward in her grasp. She stood up straight and watched as Edward lifted his head up while breaking free from his short little dream.
He yawned, “What time is it?”
Luckily, the agent’s voice didn’t change to a higher pitch despite his shrunken size. She wouldn’t tolerate him sounding like one of the chipmunks from that cartoon she had seen a long time ago.
He looked around. “Please don’t tell me we slept on that bed together again.”
Florencia wanted to tickle him for the second time, but ultimately fought against it. “It’s going to be six o’clock pretty soon. I’m going to have to give you some dinner.”
“I wonder how that’s going to be done.”
Florencia chuckled. “I’m sure things will work out.”
Another woman’s voice came from the open doorway. “They better be, now that I’m here.”
Another Colombian woman raised a handgun right at Florencia’s head. “Give him back. He doesn’t deserve to be in this house any longer.”
Florencia remembered the other woman. She would never forget Maribelle Sepulveda, the woman who took her young man away from her.
Edward had to turn his head around to see who was at the front entrance. “Maribelle! How did you find out I was here?”
Sepulveda didn’t lower her pistol. “It didn’t take long. I figured that, since you didn’t answer my phone calls, I’d find you in this house. She’s still trying to bring you away from me, isn’t she?”